CIRCUITS, CONTROL AND COMMUNICATIONS - 2020/1

Module Overview

Expected prior learning:  Learning equivalent to Year 1 of EE Programmes.




Module purpose:  This module is divided into two parts (Circuit & Control Systems and Communications & Networking) each of which build on the concepts and tools introduced in Year 1.

Module provider

Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Module Leader

FOH Chuan (Elec Elec En)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None.

Module content

Indicative content includes the following.

 

 Part A – Circuit & Control Systems  (Dr. David Carey)

 

[1 - 4]     Complex frequency analysis: Poles and zeros, natural response, forced and complete 

              response, transfer functions. Laplace transforms.

[5 - 6]     Frequency response, filter circuits, filter response from poles and zeros, Bode plots.

[7 - 9]     System modelling and analysis: Time and complex frequency domain modelling of

              linear systems, transfer functions, system modes and stability, step responses of 1st and 2nd order systems.

[10 - 11] Introduction to control principles, the Laplace transform, poles and stability.

 

[12 - 13] Feedback: Advantages of closed-loop control, sensitivity analysis, examples of feedback systems.

[14 - 15] Simple methods of feedback design: Steady-state error and integral action, proportional plus integral (PI) controllers, position control systems and derivative action.

[16 - 17] Revision

 

 

Part B - Communications & Networking  (Dr. Chuan Heng Foh)

 

[1 - 6]     Revision of Fourier Transform; Elements of modulation: Amplitude Modulation, Frequency Modulation and Digital Modulation. 

[7 - 12]   Introduction to Networking, Concept of Protocols, OSI reference model and data link layer.

[13 - 15] Introduction to Internet technology (including IP protocol and IP addressing).

[16]        Revision

 

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Not applicable: students failing a unit of assessment resit the assessment in its original format.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy for this module is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate that they have achieved all the intended learning outcomes. The summative assignments are designed to encourage the students to come prepared in every lecture and free up the time for class discussions, enquiry based learning and formative feedback in the class. The written exam will assess their understanding of analysis techniques for 1st and 2nd order circuits and systems. The exam will also assess their conceptual understanding and ability to give arguments in favour of specific design choices for the communication links and networks. This exam will also assess their abilities to design as well as analyse the control systems. The exam will include a combination of conceptual questions, numerical problems and design problems to assess the student understanding.

 

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of the following.

• 
  2-hour, closed-book written examination at the end of the module teaching during the examination week
  

• 
  During lectures, by question and answer sessions
  


• 
  During tutorials/tutorial classes
  


• 
  By means of unassessed tutorial problem sheets (with answers/model solutions)
  

Module aims

• the engineering and scientific context of the concepts introduced
• how the concepts explain circuit and system behaviour
• how to use this knowledge for circuit, control and communication system design

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to provide useful pointers for deeper learning of the topics listed in the module content. This is achieved through a series of lectures and other learning material like slide-sets, notes, online videos, tutorial sheets with model solutions, numerical and design problems with model solutions. Students are encouraged to do pre-session preparation and attempt the examples in the given materials. Class discussions are used to identify any difficulties faced by the learners and then provide more learning material using online resources at SurreyLearn system.

 

Learning and teaching methods include the following.

• 
  Lectures: 3 one-hour lecture sessions per week x 11 weeks
  


• 
  Class discussion: Average 20 minutes every week during the lectures
  


• 
  Online vidoes, notes, tutorials with model solutions and other learning materials
  

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: EEE2033

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.